Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Complaints

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Heather of Tioga PA :
When the Walmart store in this area first opened it was a real blessing. Eventually, other businesses in the area started to fail and finally, closed. Now that there is nowhere else to shop Walmart has gone downhill as well. The selection is terrible, and the quality of items has turned sour. Especially in the clothing departments.

Customer service has also gone downhill in a big way. I once waited over a half hour for someone to come and assist me in the bicycle department, finally leaving because no one could be bothered. One of the cashiers called and called for assistance to no avail. I had a woman in the infant department, I believe the department head, that wouldn't even begin to try to get me a price on an unmarked carseat. She told me that it must be the same price as another seat which was nearby that was clearly a better quality, more expensive seat. Needless to say, I left with no carseat that day.

I feel like the people of this area are being taken advantage of and being treated poorly because of the fact that places to shop are so limited here. Half of the time I can't find what I am looking for, simply because it isn't in stock anymore. You can forget about finding any decent shoes. What has happened to the quality at Walmart?

I used to be able to go to the ladies department and find something that I actually liked. Now selection is geared toward the really young and the old. I'm 33, and I'm no teenager but far from old. They call the Walmart here a Super Center, I fail to see anything super about it.

I'm not saying that there are no good workers at our Walmart, There are many cashiers that I find very courteous and friendly. It would be nice, although, if you didn't have to hunt someone down to get questions answered or to get something off of a shelf that is too high to reach. I know many people who share my feelings about the way Walmart has become, and many of us are considering paying a little more elsewhere to get the service and quality that we prefer.

Lynne of Gainesboro TN :
Walmart in Cookeville, Tennessee -- My daughter and I went to Walmart to do our major shopping. We finally found a checkout open. This was at 9:00 pm. There were A LOT of unsavory people in only what I can call packs of males. My daughter was very uncomfortable shopping because of a lot of stares. We decided to cut the trip short and leave. We checked out ($212.00 grocery bill) and went to my car. My daughter took my purse and keys. She opened the passenger door and put my purse in the console and the keys in the ignition. The lock button accidently got pushed and we were locked out!

A nice man and his son did stop to help. He was a mechanic but needed a coat hanger to open my door. His son went inside Walmart and explained the situation. They would not let him have one. So the man said, "You take my son with you and I will stay with your daughter." You see my buggy of groceries was half in and half out of my car -- my frozen items melting. I went to the Security manager and explained what happened and the fact my daughter was out there in the dark with a stranger we just met. He wouldn't even go out there to my daughter!

The only thing he said was, "We don't know if you are trying to get into your car or steal that car." I told him IF I wanted to steal a car it would not be a 92 Ford Taurus. There are a lot better cars out there to steal. Besides my car info is in it if he could just get me a coat hanger I would show him my ID. He told me to call a locksmith. DAH! My purse with all my money is locked up. I didn't have change for the phone! Then he told me "Maybe" customer service would call. I went to customer service and explained my situation. STILL no coat hanger! But he did call a locksmith.

The woman standing there, an employee in the Toy department, told me to go to my daughter she would see to it that the locksmith got called. Then all of a sudden she showed up at the car with me and said she would stay until the locksmith got there, that we didn't need to be alone in the parking lot. She took her own lunch and stayed with us. So much for the security! Walmart did not care that my daughter could have been in danger! The security, nobody. Except the nice toy department worker!

I had to pay $25.00 to get my door opened. All I needed was a lousy coat hanger on its way to the dumpster! Never mind the danger to my daughters life ... but by god that Head of Security didn't care about our safety but would have hung us if we had taken a candy bar! We were both upset and traumatized.

Robert of Lilburn GA :
I love the new store in Lilburn but I went to get a few things and some groceries. When it came to checking out the store was very busy and they only had about 7 registers open with lines with at least 6 people in each lane (registers with cashiers). I was waiting in line for over 20 minutes and was not moving up very fast when I gave up and pulled my cart over to a desk in back of the registers and told the person there that with all these people waiting to check out they should have had more cashiers on duty at this time of night (7:00pm). This is a new store and you would think they would run it better than that.

I doubt I will ever go back if that is the kind of service that store will offer. If it matters I had about $200.00 of stuff in my cart. I know that's not a lot to a store of that size but if other people do the same as I did you could be losing a lot of sales.

Kathy of Melbourne FL :
I would like to bring your attention a complaint I have about the checkout lines at the Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #3538, 8500 North Wickham Road, Viera, FL. I am extremely upset about this. I bought groceries at the end of November. After the cashier rang my groceries in, she began to ring my coupons. I had a coupon for nearly every item I bought. All of a sudden the register gave her an error about "exceeding maximum" and wouldn't let her take the rest of my coupons off.

I did not have more coupons than items and there was about a $60.00 balance left on the order, so the coupons did not exceed the value of my groceries. Neither of us had seen this error before. She did not know what to do, so called a front-end manager. This manager made her re-ring the whole order. We got the same error message again, but after a different number of coupons. The manager voided the order and rang it again herself. Same problem, after yet another different number of coupons.

The manager said, "I know you have all these products and you do not have too many coupons, but I don't know what to do, so you just won't be able to use your coupons on this order." I have now been getting rung out for almost an HOUR. Not standing waiting my turn, mind you. An hour AFTER the cashier began to ring me out. I said why don't I just pay you and then you have the service desk give me the money for the coupons the register won't take? The manager said they had to go through this register.

I know this is not true because I have taken coupons to the service desk before that I forgot to give the cashier, and gotten my money. I finally broke the order up into 4 orders, had them ring it up, gave them the exact same coupons and it all went through fine. This took me over an hour to get done.

I feel that the manager at the store handled this very poorly. She did not dispute in any way that I had valid coupons in the correct amounts. She should not have made me stand there while she rang and rerang my order. This wasted a lot of my time and got me all stressed out.

Lou of Grove OK :
With all the adverse information being circulated concerning farm-raised salmon, I'm disappointed there are no ocean-fresh salmon available at our local Wal-Mart store. At one time, I could buy ocean-fresh salmon there, but no more. I'm searching for another source.

Linda of Macon MO :
This particular incident happened in Kirksville, Mo. My husband and I drive 35 miles to shop at a Supercenter. We had purchased over $100.00 worth of merchandise on Sunday, the 9th of November. As we were exiting the store, the very loud intercom system came on demanding us to back up and let the "greeter" check our bags. How very embarassing and humiliating! We had the receipt and all of the merchandise was in bags where the checker had placed them.

We had to endure the greeter standing there going through all of our merchandise while other customers passed us giving us a look like they thought we were criminals. I was ready to return all of our merchandise.

Connie of Melbourne FL :
This store quit carring Veggie Slices (cheese) and replaced them with some soy-based product that tastes like paper. Veggie Slices look like, taste like, and cook like regular dairy cheeses. The first person told me he'd check into why Veggie Slices are no longer on the shelf. Today I spoke with a man who said they can only order what is in "their book".

As a vegetarian, I shop where I am best served...and now that would be Winn Dixie which is about 1/2 block north of the Walmart Super store located on Wickham and Sarno Roads. I spend my summers up north and the Walmart stores carry Veggie Slices...so my question is...will I be able to get them here in Melbourne, or do I go to Winn Dixie?

Diane of Stafford VA :
My daughter and I were leaving the Walmart store at about 5pm on Sunday October 5. As we were leaving the security gate went off and Bertha was yelling at me to come back. So I did and she said "stand right here" so I stood by her and she yelled at me. "I said stand over here."

People are looking at us and I stated to her you do not need to treat me like a criminal. Then she walked over by her podium like she was going to summon another person but instead she looked at me and yelled, "you can go -- I didn't do anything to you" and as I was leaving she was still yelling at me.

What gives Wal-Mart the right to stop a person and detain them because their security system does not work correctly? She never looked in my bag! I truly felt like I had done something wrong by the way I was treated in that store and I will never return there as the result of the treatment from Bertha. You might as well have called me a shoplifer. Do consumers have any rights to be treated with respect in a store?

Carol of Plainfield WI writes :
While grocery shopping at the Walmart Super Store 6/27/02 I stopped at the Deli to pick up some fried chicken for a picnic supper I had planned with my son and his family. I grabbed one bag and put it into my cart. I then grabbed another with my right hand and was immediately burned by hot grease pouring from the bag. (I had picked it up on the side and cradled the bottom with my hand, because the partially folded top of the bag looked ripped and I wasn't sure the bag would support the weight if I grabbed it at the frayed top.)

I then quickly took the top of the bag with my left hand so I could look to see what was burning my hand. I saw the palm of my hand was covered in grease. At about the same time I felt a burning sensation on my leg from two drops that landed there. I then put the bag back where I took it from, and proceeded to attempt to explain to the man behind the Deli counter that I was burned and the bag had leaked and at the same time held up my hand so he could see it was covered with grease.

I raised my voice a little and said that grease came pouring out of the bag. He frowned and I told him again; as he acted like he didn't comprehend what I was saying and again showed him my grease covered hand. He said that it was impossible, that the bags don't leak. I showed him my hand again and told him exactly what happened. He asked if I was badly hurt and if I wanted to see a manager. I said I didn't know how bad I was hurt and that I guessed I wouldn't want to talk to the manager.

He then said he didn't know how that could have happened, and by this time I was getting a little upset with him. I asked him for something to wipe my hand with and he gave me a sheet of pink toweling. I wiped my hand and told him I thought I'd like to see a manager after all. My hand was burning and so I asked him if he could get me some ice. He gave me the ice in another pink toweling and called for the manager. The manager must have beed awful busy. They announced him to the Deli, but it seemed forever before he got there.

When he arrived I explained it all to him showing him my hand my leg the grease that also landed on my top and my shorts as well as the grease on the top of two mini salads in frount of where you get the chicken out of and the counter and floor. These were drops but the total amout of grease from it all was ample. He said he was sorry - I told him I wanted the bags changed so that this wouldn't happen again, and pointed out that it could have been a child instead of me. I told him I didn't want this ever to happen again to anyone, and that I wanted some assurance that something would be done. He said he doubted if the corporation would change the bag over just one person being burned. This did upset me and I said, you mean more people have to be burned before anything can be done about it! He said he was sorry he didn't mean it that way and he said he thought it could possibly a problem right there with the workers not draining the grease properly.

I told him I wanted to be contacted and it proven to me that the employies had been warned to properly drain the chicken and assurance that it would be done.I also told him that I loved shopping there - did in fact do most of my shopping of all kinds at Walmart. I love the way the chicken tastes but that some day some Mom was going to say to her child,"Oh, grab one of those bags of chicken for me" And the kid will,and the kid will get burt! I also told him how the juices do leak out of the containers that hold the rotissery chicken too and than Walmart should rectify that.

He said he gets that chicken and has never had the juice leak out. I told him about the time it did leak all over my car. The packers at the check out are not educated on the fine art of bagging hot juicy chicken from the Deli. He again told me it never has happened to him because he knows how to handle it. I responded, "Exactly! but does every one? Does a child?" He guessed not. I found him to be very defensive as well as wishy-washy. I was just trying not to be angry, but instead tell him these things were hazards for young children. He crossed out the price on the bag of chicken still in my cart and wrote NO Charge on the bag.

Robert of Marquette MI writes :
A few weeks ago I tried to get a twenty-pound propane cylinder recharged but was unable to because of the design change for safty reasons. I went to Walmart to purchase a new tank only to find that the price had gone up about five dollars per tank. I needed three. I also needed to replace the regulator on my camper as the old style will not fit the new tank design.

Walmart had a lot of accessories for the old style tanks but nothing for the new ones. I felt as though Walmart was taking advantage of people by selling outdated and useless products because the tanks had to be replaced anyway. When I asked the salesperson about it, he didn't understand what I was asking for -- a new style regulator and hose. The dept. manager was called to see if he knew where the product was and he said, "Everything we have is on the wall so I dont know" and then he walked away. I did NOT purchase the new tanks from Walmart because I had to go to another store anyway to get what I needed to make them work.

I believe raising the price on an item that has to be replaced by law is price gouging. I also think they should train the staff so they know just a little about "product knowledge". Although no real damage was done other than cost me some time and a little extra money, I was very disappointed in Walmart. I wonder how many people bought outdated products that they found useless. Just a few extra dollars from many customers adds up very quickly.

Janet of Pontotoc MS writers :
On May 4, 2002 at I went to the Walmart store in Tupelo to put a trampoline on layaway until the money I was waiting on came in. The box was in good shape and had straps around it. Then on Saturday night June 1, I went back to the Walmart store in Tupelo to pick up my package. I paid my money and they go the package out of layaway.

The straps were no longer on the box but I was assured that everything was OK. I took the box and came straight home. Sunday afternoon I starting trying to put the trampoline together and it worked OK until I needed 96 more springs. There was a whole box of springs missing from my set. I called the store in Tupelo Sunday afternoon and the customer service person said I could come pick up springs so I could complete my assembly.

Monday afternoon after I got off work I drove to Tupelo. Keep in mind that the drive is about 30 miles from where I live. When I got there I went to sporting goods and was told there were no more trampolines and I was out of luck. They did try to call several stores with no luck in finding a trampoline.

My complaint is my box was in layaway and should have never been opened to take the springs out of it in the first place. The assistant manager told me it was like the domino effect and I was the last domino. Now I have to try to find springs on my own or I must package the tampoline back up and return it back to the store in Tupelo, which again is 30 miles away. I liked the service I got up until I could not put the trampoline togerther, from then on it has gone downhill big time. I don't feel like any employee there will be told not to open boxes in layaway and I know I do not want to ever put anything in layaway again at that store. I am also going to use more caution anytime from now on when I am in any Walmart store to make sure all parts are there before I leave.

Marsha of Huntsville writes :
I noticed this week that WalMart in Huntsville, AL "rolled back" their price on a product which I use frequently. That was terrific, however the bottle was smaller. I'm not sure but I think this product now costs about $.01 per ounce more than before.

I think this is a little misleading when they roll back their prices. I think they should only use those signs for the exact same product. The product I am questioning is called Body Essence - Tea Tree Oil Body Wash. The original size was 35 fl. oz. for approximately $3.99 The UPC is 031477912466. The "roll back" item is 28 fl.oz. for $3.49. The UPC on the "roll back" item is 031477912480.

We think this is deceptive advertising, but we'd like to think that it's an oversight. We'd be interested in hearing about similar instances.

Kimberly of Renfrew, Canada, writes:
My 4-year-old nephew was killed in a car accident. I wanted a photo of him to give to the media. Donna, the photo lab manager, refused to copy it without giving me an explanation. She was so rude to me. I had the negative of the picture. She never said, "Sorry, I think that photo looks professional so I can't copy it. I'm sorry." She just walked away from me.

The photo wasn't professional! The back didn't say professional nor did it say copyright! She was the coolest person I've ever met. I talked to the store manager. He was afraid of her! He talked to Donna over the phone and he was only standing a few feet away from her. She was just downright rude. It was the poorest customer service ever. I suggested to the store manager to send Donna to a customer service training course and he agreed with me. Then why is she working there?

The store manager was getting upset as well as myself. At this point, I was crying. She just felt like treating me like dirt for the fun of it. I felt like a little piece of dirt on the ground. What an experience. I own my own business and if my employee ever treated a customer like that they would be let go! I train my employees in customer service. Wal-Mart is supposed be be "SATISFACTION GUARANTEED."

I promise, I will never set another foot in Wal-Mart because it is an unpleasent experience with their employees. You should have a mystery shopper approach Donna, the photo manager, in Renfrew. She is not cut out for retail!

I walked out crying because I never got my photo of my deceased nephew. The store manager tried to apologize for her, but I'm not accepting that. I am emotionally hurt by this incident. the photo had a negative so, she should've printed it for me, right? I'm sick of Wal-Mart treating people like this. I'm speaking up for myself now. I made sure to tell everyone I know about this. Another photo lab was very happy to print my memory for me.

Wendy of Virden, ME, writes:
In November, I purchased a diamond ring for my husband, for Christmas. It needed to be sent away for sizing. The clerk at Walmart assured me that the ring would be back in time. I waited until a week before Christmas and then I started to call Walmart to see where this ring was.

Well Christmas came and went and today I went to Walmart to see if the ring was in. I was told by a clerk named Becky, after she spoke to the manager of jewelry, that the ring had been lost. She asked me if they could reorder it. I told her my Christmas has already been ruined and got my refund.

My biggest beef of all -- Why didn't the manager come out and speak to me directly, she wasn't far away from the counter! A great deal of emotional stress considering the time of year!

Scott of Green River, UT, writes:
On Friday the 27th of October, I dropped off some film at Wal-Mart. the store is under construction and finding the photo lab was a challenge. I dropped the film in a box marked "film processing". When my mother-in-law stopped at the store the next day, she was told that the film was not there. She was further told that if the film was dropped in the box in the front of the store, the pictures would not be ready until the following Monday.

The following Monday, I returned to the Wal-MArt and asked for the pictures. I was again told that the pictures were not done. I told the clerk that I had driven 180 miles to get the pictures only because we were told they would be done. She rather smugly circled the phone number on my receipt and stated that I should have called first.

I was outraged. I did not make a scene in the store, but I believe that if Wal-MArt is going to advertise a "one-hour photo" it should be able to develop film faster than 3 days. As it stands now, someone is going to have to travel another 180 miles one way to get the film. I have usually enjoyed shopping at Wal-Mart, but this experience is making BIG K look pretty good.

Debra of Center Conway, NH, writes:
I lost my all the contents of my house in a fire on Oct 27, 1999. That was Wal-Mart's opening day. Since that time I have spent $5,000-$7,000 at that store to help rebuild and put my house back together. I had to start right down to the studs of the house.

My problem is that every towel -- big, hand and face cloth -- has what looks like bleach marks all over them. The problem is I don't use bleach and the marks aren't white but an orange color. Have you had any other complaints like this? I just don't understand the problem. Some I threw away and some I kept.

Lisa of Fontana, CA, writes:
On 12/01/99 my house was broken into and some things were stolen, I called the police and made a report. At the time all I found missing was $3,000 worth of jewelry and a cell phone.

On 12/5/99 the police came to my house at 1:00 am and woke me up to tell me they had a car pulled over down the street, with 4 people in it and was I missing a packet of checks. When I looked, the answer was yes.

They asked me to come to the corner and indentify the checks and people. Well, to make a long story short, they had my checks and I then found out at that time they had written some at Wal-Mart for $230 worth of items with no form of ID.

I feel this ic clearly negligent on the part of Wal-Mart. I know for a fact that I have been there and wrote checks and I was never asked for a driver's licence or California ID.

On the same night the checks cleared the bank and took all my children's Christmas money. If I had known the checks were missing I would have told the police on the original report. Now my children don't have a Christmas.

If Wal-Mart would have done their job and required ID this would have never happen. I feel the least they can do is send me a gift certificate for the amount of money since they got paid. The bank is not even sure if they can reimburse me.

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